Should you use your credit card for holiday shopping?
We’re currently in the thick of the holiday season. According to research from the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend nearly $1,000 on gifts and other holiday items this year—that’s a chunk of change. When used responsibly, your credit card is the ultimate tool to reap the benefits of holiday shopping—below are a few reasons why you should use your credit card to take care of your gift-giving this holiday season.
Earn rewards while you shop
The most obvious benefit of using your credit card for holiday shopping is rewards points. For most cards, you’ll earn around one point for every dollar charged to your card. But, there’s potential for even more—some cards offer extra rewards earning on specific categories or retailers. So, depending on where you shop, you can earn up to 5% cashback on your holiday spending—benefitting you in the long run.
Protect your purchases
Another fantastic thing about using credit cards is the purchase protections offered. Unlike debit cards, many credit cards offer various protection programs to ensure your purchases are safeguarded from theft, damage, and more—something crucial during the holidays.
Extended warranty protection
Your credit card may offer an extended warranty program. Manufacturer warranties only go so far—you’ll have peace of mind knowing if you purchase gifts using a card with extended warranty protection, you may still be reimbursed for repair or replacement costs or even have the original purchase cost reimbursed after the manufacturer warranty expires.
Buyer’s protection
Some credit cards also offer buyer’s protection, which acts as insurance for eligible purchases made with your credit card. Buyer’s protection ensures your purchases are covered against theft or damage within a certain period after purchase. While they sound similar, this is different than extended warranty protection, which offers more comprehensive damage protection. Buyer’s protection provides more coverage against theft or damage.
Porch Piracy Protection
Another fantastic perk some credit cards provide is Porch Piracy Protection, which covers qualified purchases against theft. Let’s say you order gifts online to make holiday shopping easier. You get the long-awaited delivery notification—only to find that your porch is empty. If you made those purchases with your eligible credit card, you could be reimbursed for the total purchase price, up to a certain amount per claim.
Fraud protection
The holidays are prime time for scammers—shop worry-free knowing you’re protected in the event of fraud, as you typically aren’t held liable for unauthorized purchases. For example, if your credit card information is stolen, you don’t need to worry about checks bouncing or automatic payments being declined for insufficient funds, as the fraudulent purchases won’t come directly from your checking account.
Redeem your points for gifts
If you’re tight on cash this holiday season or want to keep the cash in your wallet, you can redeem your credit card rewards points for gifts. Use your points to purchase gift cards, merchandise, travel, and more. If you’re not sure what to give that special someone, we’ve got you covered with our holiday gift guide—from gifts for the kids or electronics to outdoor goods or kitchenware, you’ll find gifts for everyone on your list. Or, if you find yourself visiting family this holiday season, you can even redeem your points on travel, like airline tickets, rental cars, or hotels—saving you some cash.
Make the most of your holiday shopping this year with a Georgia’s Own Visa Signature® or Platinum contactless credit card. You’ll enjoy fantastic features, including no annual fee, enhanced fraud controls, and Flex Rewards* to redeem for cash back, gift cards, and more. Don’t have a Georgia’s Own Visa? Click here to make your holiday shopping count.
*Georgia’s Own Credit Card points will expire five (5) years from the date earned. Points, including any rollover points or points transferred from an existing Georgia’s Own Credit Card, will not expire before May 31, 2023.